Oil and Gas Resouces of the Arctic Alaska Petroleum Province

Houseknecht, D. W.¹, Kenneth J. Bird² (1) U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA (2) U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, CA

The Arctic Alaska petroleum province, encompassing all lands and adjacent continental shelf areas north of the Brooks Range and Herald Arch, is one of the most hydrocarbon-rich areas in the U.S. Cumulative production totals more than 15 billion barrels of oil (BBO) and more than 5 trillion cubic feet of gas (TCFG). This gas production only represents local consumption as most produced gas is reinjected because no pipeline to market exists. Proved reserves of nearly 7 BBO and more than 35 TCFG are estimated by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources – Division of Oil and Gas. Seven unitized oil fields currently contribute to production and three additional fields have been unitized but are not yet producing. In addition, three small gas fields are produced for local consumption. More than 20 additional oil and gas discoveries remain undeveloped.